Spiders in the Xeriscape Garden

Arachnids in British Columbia

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The many types and varieties of spiders in a xeric garden are truly
impressive. Some create intricate webs; others spin a single strand to
trap their prey.

Jumping spiders don’t have a web at all, chasing down their prey on foot.

Trapdoor spiders construct a tunnel to hide in, only emerging when an insect plucks one of the trip wires laid out all around.

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Spiders have an uncanny knack of building their webs where insects
are sure to pass – usually right at face level so we also walk right
through them.

Did you know that some spiders eat their webs if they’re badly damaged, to spin them out again?

Now that’s sustainability!

Spiders
will only build when the weather is fine – in the early morning if you
see lots of webs with the dew on them, it’s sure to mean a day without
rain.

Spiders are active in the garden as long as the weather holds

Most spiders in British Columbia prey on pest insects, sometimes bees or other beneficial insects.

Their webs are all around; some are messy, others fascinatingly complex. Some spiders live in tunnels woven from their webs. In the fall, many spiders 'parachute' from one place to another looking for a place to spend the winter.

Many
are small enough to hide among crevices in tree bark, under a leaf, or
in a web in the barn. In turn, they become food for birds, or even
other spiders.

Poisonous Spiders in B.C.

There are three spiders that have been known to inflict a poisonous bite – sometimes leading to serious injury, even death.

They are the Black Widow spider which is known for hiding in dark unused places such as inside concrete blocks, wood sheds and basements.

Shake
out any clothing hung in these types of places before you put them on.
Their webs are a messy cluster, with large egg sacs that the female
spider protects with a vengeance.

Also note that they are not always black, they also come in varied patterns.

The Brown Recluse spider – named for its habit of solitary living, this spider also hides from activity.

It
is the cause of several very serious injuries, and its venom can cause
fasciating necrosis or flesh eating disease, leading to amputation or a
long healing process.

It is not known for sure if it’s in B.C.,
but several sources list it as a resident. Unfortunately, a bite can
sometimes take a couple of days to show the red bulls eye appearance, by
which time, the culprit is long gone. Use caution when cleaning out
attics, garages and basements, as this type of environment is where they
prefer to make their homes.

The Hobo spider is a wanderer, and also has been known to cause injuries.

In
spite of the fact that there are a few bad apples in the spider barrel,
most are placid and helpful in the garden, catching many pests and
insects.

Once you start looking at spiders in your xeric garden, you’ll find them fascinating and diverse creatures.